The first case of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration and partial splenic embolization for gastric varices in situs inversus abdominus

Abstract

Situs inversus abdominus is a congenital abnormality characterized by the mirror image positioning of the abdominal organs, making it difficult to diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. Here, we report a rare case of gastric varices in situs inversus abdominus patient. A 55-year-old man was diagnosed with F2-shaped gastric varices associated with alcoholic cirrhosis. Abdominal dynamic computed tomography showed situs inversus abdominus, and gastric varices with a gastrorenal shunt. Due to the complex anatomy, emergency interventional radiology during bleeding was extremely difficult. Therefore, after thorough consultation, we decided to treat gastric varices prophylactically by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration. After treatment, the patient’s clinical course was generally good, with no adverse events, and the gastric varices disappeared. It is important to assess anatomical positioning using three-dimensional reconstruction computed tomography images before treatment, to adequately prepare, including selecting appropriate devices (i.e., catheters and sheath). Although preventive treatment of gastric varices is controversial, in cases with anatomical complexity, preventive treatment with sufficient preparation would be recommended. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of treatment for gastric varices in situs inversus abdominus patient. This case will serve as a reference for successful treatment in future cases.